Betrayed (Powell Book 4) by Bill Ward Read Free Book Online

business. A view he knew was shared by the occupants of the Renault.
    Scott sat in the back seat. The front seats were both occupied.
    “So what is so important you couldn’t tell me over the phone?” Scott asked without preamble.
    The man in the front passenger seat turned around to face Scott. He was in his mid-thirties and had a round face. He shaved his head to hide the fact he was going bald but had a large, bushy moustache. “Someone’s been asking questions about your place,” he answered. “Someone with clout.”
    “Who?”
    “Don’t know specifically but it’s probably someone in the security services.”
    “Are you sure?”
    “That it was the security services? No, I’m not bloody sure but my boss hinted as much.”
    “Why would the security services be interested in us?”
    “I was hoping you could tell me.”
    “I’ve no idea. What did you tell them, Doug?”
    “I wrote a brief report, which in summary said you weren’t on our radar. But why the bloody hell are MI5 asking about you in the first place?”
    “I don’t know but it could be Hattie’s father. He’s loaded and probably has friends in high places.”
    “You don’t seem very worried,” Doug said.
    “I don’t think there’s any reason to panic. They wouldn’t be asking you such questions if, even for a second, they suspected our relationship so you’re obviously in the clear.”
    “I hadn’t thought of it like that. Unless it’s a trap and they were seeing how I would respond.”
    “In which case there’s probably a bunch of spooks about to jump out from the trees,” Scott warned.
    Doug immediately glanced to the trees on the side of the road.
    “Don’t get too paranoid,” Scott continued. “MI5 are interested in catching terrorists so we definitely fall outside their normal remit. If someone was after you, it wouldn’t be MI5. Therefore, I think it’s more likely to be an unofficial enquiry. Someone doing a favour for a friend.”
    “I hope you’re right.”
    “I’ll speak to Hattie and get her back in touch with her family. They haven’t heard from her for a long while, which might explain them wanting to check up on us. She can find out if they are responsible for raising your blood pressure.”
    Scott had told Hattie she shouldn’t shun her family. They would be worried and it might lead to trouble. The last thing he wanted was her parents making his life difficult.
    “Perhaps we should lay low for a while,” Doug suggested.
    “I have made promises,” Scott replied. “If I stop supplying then someone else will take my customers. I can’t allow that to happen.”
    “Okay but we need to tread carefully.”
    “We should always tread carefully,” Scott emphasised. “Our business arrangement has been highly profitable for both of us. In fact, demand is so high, I would like to double the size of our next order.”
    Doug raised his eyebrows in surprise. “That’s a big increase.”
    “Is it a problem for you?”
    “No, it’s not a problem,” Doug quickly replied. “I will just need a little more time to source the extra supply.”
    “Is a week long enough?”
    “A week is fine.”
    “Good. Now I want to get back to the house. Much as I enjoy your company, I had a different sort of evening planned.”
    “You lucky bugger,” Doug said, obviously jealous. “You get all the perks.” 
    Scott returned to his car in thoughtful mood. He had appeared more relaxed by Doug’s revelations than was the reality. He didn’t like the idea of anyone prying into his business.
    He hoped he was right in his assertion it was Hattie’s father checking them out. He was a known problem, which Scott could handle. Anyone else poking around might signal a risk to his plans. He would make a call in the morning and determine whether he had cause to be concerned.
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     

CHAPTER SEVEN
     
     
     
    Powell was up at six and dressed quietly in his running gear so as not